BWSL & BWSL2 Matchweek 13 Roundup
Your BWSL and BWSL2 roundup from the weekend, as both league leaders edged out tight victories, promotion races continued to build momentum and the relegation picture tightened further across both divisions.
BWSL
Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion
Friday night football at Goodison Park got the gameweek underway, with tenth-placed Everton hosting eighth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion. Both sides arrived under pressure after back-to-back league defeats, making this an early chance to reset and stop difficult runs from dragging on.
The only goal of the game came just before the break, as Jelena Čanković struck for the visitors, her second goal in as many games following last weekend’s FA Cup tie, in a first half that offered little in the way of clear chances. The second period brought more involvement for both goalkeepers, but Brighton remained solid when it mattered.
The Seagulls took all three points to end their winless run, while Everton are now without a league win in three and find themselves edging uncomfortably closer to the bottom of the table.
Chelsea v Arsenal
Fresh from midweek Subway Women’s League Cup drama, Chelsea and Arsenal renewed their rivalry at Stamford Bridge in a fixture that rarely lacks narrative.
It was a familiar first-half pattern for Arsenal, who created the better openings but went into the break without reward. That changed quickly after the restart. Beth Mead broke the deadlock just ten minutes into the second half, before the Gunners doubled their lead six minutes later. Mariona Caldentey did the damage, weaving through a tight space before bending a composed finish beyond the Chelsea defence and into the side netting.
The result lifts Arsenal to within a single point of Chelsea and handed Manchester City a significant opportunity on Sunday, with the league leaders knowing victory would extend their advantage at the top.
London City Lionesses v Manchester City
After Saturday’s result, Manchester City travelled south knowing a win would take them nine points clear at the summit, and they started with intent. Kerolin finished calmly after meeting Vivianne Miedema’s pass to put City ahead after just eleven minutes, giving the visitors a deserved lead heading into the interval.
The second half saw a much stronger response from the hosts. London City matched City across the pitch and found an equaliser through a moment of real quality. Freya Godfrey carried the ball into the box, stood up her defender and fired past Ayaka Yamashita. But when City needed a goal, their most reliable source delivered. A goalmouth scramble fell to Khadija Shaw, who made no mistake from close range with minutes remaining. The late strike secured another huge three points and left City nine points clear at the top.
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur
At the other end of the table, late drama once again dominated the headlines.
Liverpool came into the weekend unbeaten in their previous two league matches, having drawn with West Ham United and London City Lionesses. The task was to turn those points into a first win, as Gareth Taylor’s side looked to climb the table, move above the Hammers and close the gap to Everton and Leicester.
For much of the contest, Liverpool controlled proceedings but struggled to find a breakthrough. It appeared set to end in a third straight draw until the introduction of Mia Enderby changed everything. The substitute struck twice in stoppage time, in the 94th and 95th minutes, just ten minutes after coming on. The victory keeps Liverpool bottom, but crucially moves them to within one point of safety and pulls three teams into the relegation fight.
Leicester City v West Ham United
Two sides increasingly drawn into the relegation conversation met on Sunday, with Leicester City hosting West Ham United. It was the Hammers who emerged with a vital three points, made even more significant by results elsewhere.
Goals from Verena Hanshaw on 34 minutes and a stunning strike from Shekiera Martinez shortly after the hour mark put West Ham in control. A late own goal from Eva Nyström in the 84th minute set up a tense finish, but the visitors held firm.
With Liverpool’s win, West Ham remain a point above the Reds, while Leicester’s gap to the bottom narrowed from five points to two.
Aston Villa v Manchester United
The weekend concluded with Aston Villa welcoming European chasers and Subway League Cup finalists Manchester United.
The opening half saw goals in quick succession. Julia Zigiotti gave United the lead, only for Kirsty Hanson to respond two minutes later, continuing her strong run of form with her fifth goal in seven games for club and country to level things before the break.
United took control after half-time. An eight-minute spell proved decisive as Elisabeth Terland, Jess Park and Hanna Lundkvist all found the net between the 71st and 79th minutes. The result capped a standout week for Marc Skinner’s side and keeps them firmly in the hunt for a top-three finish, sitting just one point behind third-placed Arsenal.
BWSL2
Portsmouth v Birmingham City
Gameweek 13 in BWSL2 began on Saturday evening at Westleigh Park, as Portsmouth welcomed promotion-chasing Birmingham City.
Amy Merricks’ side delivered a dominant display from the opening whistle, running out 4–0 winners in a performance that fully reflected their control. Birmingham posted an xG of 2.45 and registered 15 shots, with first-half goals from Veatriki Sarri and Lily Crosthwaite setting the tone. Sarri added her second after the break, her fourth goal in three games, before new signings combined late on, with Batcheba Louis teeing up Wilma Leidhammer to score on her debut.
The win keeps Birmingham second in the table and maintains pressure on leaders Charlton. For Portsmouth, it was a third straight defeat, leaving them in eleventh.
Crystal Palace v Durham
In Sunday’s early kick-off, Crystal Palace looked to extend their four-game winning run against a Durham side still searching for form.
After a goalless first half, Palace stepped things up after the interval. Molly Sharpe struck twice, either side of Abbie Blanchard’s goal, before Abbie Larkin added a fourth late on to cap a convincing attacking display. Despite the scoreline, Durham created more chances than Palace in the second half but were unable to convert. The visitors will need greater ruthlessness moving forward, having now failed to score in three consecutive league matches.
Charlton Athletic v Newcastle United
With Birmingham’s result known, Charlton knew victory was required to restore their five-point lead at the top.
The Addicks took control in the first half, with goals from Jodie Hutton and Katie Bradley giving them a deserved cushion. Newcastle responded after the break through Oona Sevenius, who pulled one back just before the hour mark. The visitors dominated possession in the second half and limited Charlton to a single chance, but struggled to create a clear opening of their own. Charlton’s defensive resilience saw them hold on for a 2–1 win and extend their unbeaten run.
Sunderland v Southampton
Both sides entered the contest looking for a response after FA Cup exits the previous weekend, making this an immediate chance to return to winning ways.
It proved a game of two halves. Southampton controlled much of the opening 45 minutes and registered the only effort on target before the break. Sunderland turned the momentum after half-time, piling on pressure and recording 17 shots to Southampton’s one. Eleanor Dale’s first league goal of the season ultimately proved decisive, earning the hosts all three points.
The win gives Sunderland back-to-back league victories after a run of five straight defeats. For Southampton, the result ends hopes of a third successive win and leaves them five points behind third-placed Bristol City.
Nottingham Forest v Sheffield United
In a meeting between two sides with contrasting objectives, Nottingham Forest claimed a narrow but important victory over Sheffield United.
Charlie Wellings scored the only goal of the game in the first half, her third of the season and her first since early November, to secure the points.
The result ends Forest’s run of back-to-back defeats and moves them to within four points of the play-off places. Sheffield United, meanwhile, suffered a fourth consecutive league loss. While they remain six points clear of Ipswich, attention will now turn to the pressure building below them.
Ipswich Town v Bristol City
Heading into the weekend, this fixture pitched the league’s most potent attack against its most vulnerable defence. It was Ipswich who struck first.
Natasha Thomas scored her first league goal of the season to give the hosts a surprise lead at the break. Bristol City responded through defender Harley Bennett, who netted her first goal in almost two years after meeting Emily Syme’s delivery. The assist marked Syme’s fifth of the campaign, taking her to nine goal involvements in 13 matches.
In the end, the draw did little to help either side’s ambitions. Bristol City lost ground on Charlton and Birmingham in the promotion race, while Ipswich remain four points adrift of safety.
